With disarming candor, Liem draws a parallel between the speaker in this
poem and his imaginary sweetheart. One is into his declining years, and the
other still fresh with youth, and flush wish youthful vigor.

What holds in store for the man stands in stark contrast to that which his
beloved woman is enjoying. Between the man's outlook and hers the gulf is so
vast it becomes a poignant reminder of the inexorable march of time.

Shall we muster the courage to look at time in the face, and like Liem, just
tell it like it is? Or shall we simply ignore time's power to ravage and
wither, dismiss it out of hand, and like so many who preceded us, advocate
the seizure of power while we can? Hatch and carry out a coup d'éat
against age, and rob it of its fearful yet even-handed might?

Liem is simply content to bring up age discrepancy, and speak with the
wisdom and judgment of experience.